Video: Prostate-Specific PET Scans

Runtime

02:00

To date there has been no reliable way to quantify or to characterize prostatecancer bone metastases. Medical oncologist Michael Morris of Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Genitourinary Oncology Service describes techniques to image prostate cancer metastases using novel PET imaging technology. The approaches involve the use of prostate-specific PET scans targeting the androgenreceptor or prostate-specific membraneantigen (PSMA) as a target. Doctors can use the method to localize metastases and determine how well treatments are targeting disease sites. They are the first techniques developed to visualize and characterize prostate cancer in a patient's body in a way that cannot be accomplished using standard imaging modalities. Dr. Morris also notes that it is the first step toward creating the molecular profile of a patient's prostate cancer in a noninvasive manner.

androgen (AN-droh-jen)

A type of hormone that promotes the development and maintenance of male sex characteristics.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

antigen (AN-tih-jen)

Any substance that causes the body to make a specific immune response.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

cancer (KAN-ser)

A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

imaging (IH-muh-jing)

In medicine, a process that makes pictures of areas inside the body. Imaging uses methods such as x-rays (high-energy radiation), ultrasound (high-energy sound waves), and radio waves.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

medical oncologist (MEH-dih-kul on-KAH-loh-jist)

A doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer using chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, biological therapy, and targeted therapy. A medical oncologist often is the main health care provider for someone who has cancer. A medical oncologist also gives supportive care and may coordinate treatment given by other specialists.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

membrane (MEM-brayn)

A very thin layer of tissue that covers a surface.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

noninvasive (NON-in-VAY-siv)

In medicine, it describes a procedure that does not require inserting an instrument through the skin or into a body opening. In cancer, it describes disease that has not spread outside the tissue in which it began.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

oncology (on-KAH-loh-jee)

The study of cancer.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

prostate (PROS-tayt)

A gland in the male reproductive system. The prostate surrounds the part of the urethra (the tube that empties the bladder) just below the bladder, and produces a fluid that forms part of the semen.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

prostate cancer (PROS-tayt KAN-ser)

Cancer that forms in tissues of the prostate (a gland in the male reproductive system found below the bladder and in front of the rectum). Prostate cancer usually occurs in older men.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

receptor (reh-SEP-ter)

A molecule inside or on the surface of a cell that binds to a specific substance and causes a specific physiologic effect in the cell.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)